ProverbPerseverance
Chinese origin
Chinese origin近朱者赤，近墨者黑 (Jìn zhū zhě chì, jìn mò zhě hēi)
Meaning: People take on the character of the company they keep.
Literally: Near vermilion you turn red, near ink you turn black
Example: “交朋友要谨慎，近朱者赤，近墨者黑。” — Choose your friends carefully: you are known by the company you keep.
Equivalents in English, Spanish, Japanese, German, and Italian
English: Who keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl
Spanish: Quien con lobos anda, a aullar aprende (literally: He who walks with wolves learns to howl)
Japanese: 朱に交われば赤くなる (Shu ni majiwareba akaku naru) (literally: Mix with vermilion and you turn red)
German: Bei Wölfen und Eulen lernt man das Heulen (literally: Among wolves and owls one learns howling)
Italian: Chi va col lupo impara a ululare (literally: Whoever goes with the wolf learns to howl)
Origin: From the Chinese writer Fu Xuan (217–278), in an admonition on educating the crown prince: near vermilion you turn red, near ink you turn black.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Che spettacolo! You look absolutely stunning — a spontaneous burst of admiration for someone's appearance.
- Du bist ein Goldstück You're a real gem — priceless, irreplaceable, and deeply appreciated.
- Du hast ein Händchen dafür You have a real knack — a natural gift that makes difficult things look easy.
Keep exploring